New speed signs could save £41m over 5 years
Trains under a speed restriction must keep to the reduced speed until the entire train clears the restriction. Prolonged low speeds can lead to delays and reduced service reliability.
Speed restrictions approaching passive level crossings are important because they help users to spot an approaching train and cross safely. But,continuing at the lower speed is not necessary once the front of the train passes the crossing.
For speed restrictions that mitigate risks such as sighting at a passive level crossing, Network Rail wanted a way to allow trains to start accelerating sooner.
Network Rail trialled the new signs and shared the results with RSSB. We engaged with trial technical specialists and the eventual users of the signs to fully understand the task and learn how the trials went.
This fact-finding exercise enabled us to set requirements for using the signs. Two RSSB standards teams completed the work. A Rail Operations Technical Specialist worked on Rule Book changes. A Control Command and Signalling Engineer worked on updates to three industry standards, inputting the application rules for future use on the rail network. The changes were subsequently added to three Rule Book modules.
Reduced speeds cause delays and affect service reliability. Allowing trains to accelerate once conditions permit can minimise delays. This can result in shorter travel times and improved railway performance.
Network Rail’s trial revealed that shorter trains experienced minor improvements in journey times. Longer trains, such as freight trains, benefitted even more. Freight operators had noted significant delays for certain trains. In 2021–2022, trains on the Wales route lost 4.7 million minutes to temporary speed restrictions, costing £234.8m. The new signs will allow such trains to regain time once they have passed the speed restriction area. Implementing the new signs could save £41m nationally over five years.